Normally, the goal for a second-year head coach is to reach nine wins and finish in the top 25. However, we can make somewhat of an exception in the case of Tennessee football this year as they went 8-5 with a Gator Bowl win over the Indiana Hoosiers and finished 5-3 in the SEC.
After all, Jeremy Pruitt accomplished that despite an 0-2 start that turned into 1-4 and 2-5. He had two home losses to Group of Five programs to open the season and then had to right the ship, which certainly wasn’t easy.
Finishing on a six-game winning streak, including victories over three bowl teams and four that, at least on the field, qualified for bowl eligibility, is worthy of praise.